Chapter 3

Sarah needed her professional-grade camera equipment back.

She'd lent it to Mike months ago, he'd claimed a freelance gig, something to "boost his portfolio."

She doubted any real gig materialized, but she'd let him keep it.

Now, she had a company retreat to document, an important project for her, and she'd given Mike weeks of notice.

"Mike, I need the camera back by Friday," she texted.

His reply was quick, "Yeah, no problem."

Friday came, no camera.

Sarah called him.

"Oh, crap, Sarah, I totally forgot, Brittany's using it for this huge influencer thing."

"Brittany? Mike, that's my professional equipment, I need it for work."

"I know, I know, but this is a really big break for her, she's got this brand deal, potentially."

Sarah felt her patience fraying. "Mike, I gave you notice, I need it today."

"Can't it wait? She'll be done in a couple of days, she says this could make her career."

Likely exaggerated, Sarah thought, Brittany's aspirations always outstripped her efforts.

"No, Mike, it can't wait, my project is on Monday, I need to prep."

He whined, "You're going to ruin her opportunity, she's going to be so upset."

"She can be upset, Mike, it's my camera, I need it."

"Fine," he snapped, "I'll try to get it."

Hours passed. No Mike, no camera.

Sarah reflected on her past generosity, how easily Mike had always accepted it, how little he seemed to value her things or her needs when Brittany was involved.

The camera was a symbol, another piece of her support he was letting Brittany misuse.

She drove to his apartment that evening.

Mike answered the door, looking sheepish. Brittany was visible in the background, preening in front of a ring light, Sarah's camera on a tripod.

"Sarah! What are you doing here?" Mike asked.

"I'm here for my camera, Mike."

Brittany turned, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Oh, hi Sarah, just finishing up, this is going to be huge."

"I need it now, Brittany," Sarah said, her voice firm.

Brittany's smile vanished. "Well, you can't have it, I'm in the middle of a shoot."

"Mike," Sarah said, looking directly at her brother.

He fidgeted. "Can't you just come back tomorrow, Sarah?"

"No."

Brittany scoffed, "So demanding, no wonder you can't keep a man."

Sarah ignored her. "Mike, the camera bag, now."

He hesitated, then shuffled to the closet and pulled out the bag, minus the camera body and lens currently on the tripod.

"The rest of it, Mike."

Brittany stepped forward. "You're being such a bitch, he told you I needed it."

"It's not his to lend out indefinitely, Brittany, it's mine, and I need it for my job."

Mike finally detached the camera from the tripod, his hands clumsy, and put it in the bag.

He handed it to Sarah, avoiding her eyes.

"Thanks," Sarah said, her voice cold.

As she walked away, she heard Brittany's shrill voice, "She's just jealous of my potential, Mikey, she wants to sabotage me."

Mike's mumbled reply was inaudible, but Sarah knew he wouldn't defend her.

He was still justifying Brittany's behavior, even as Sarah reclaimed her own property.

The delusion was deep.